Ime Akpan
The federal government has offered automatic employment as well as scholarship to 168 National Youth Service Corps members who distinguished themselves during the 2015, 2016 and 2017 service years.
President Muhammadu Buhari announced the offer at a combined 2015/2016/2017 President’s NYSC Honours Award held at the State House, Abuja on Friday night.
The president who was represented by the vice president, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, said the beneficiaries would be absorbed into the federal civil service.
He also said they were offered scholarships to study up to doctorate level in any Nigerian university of choice.
Fifteen ex-corps members who suffered disability during their service year were also recognised under the NYSC Hope Alive programme.
There was also the National Council for Women Affairs Award to three best female awardees.
The president said it is the exceptional individuals in the society who are the true builders of institutions and nations.
He said the vision, innovation and hard work of one person is sufficient to make a difference in the life of a community or a nation.
The president said also said enduring individual success is a function of the courage and resilience.
Besides, he said he was challenged by the remarkable courage of the corps members who suffered various accidents while in service.
“The fact that they have gone through these harrowing personal injuries and are still determined to engage the future with hope and confidence is proof that they will still experience the joys of great success and fulfillment.
“To all of today’s honorees, let me make it clear that you are not just the future of this country, but also its present.
“You must all see yourselves as the leaders that you are; but leadership comes with responsibilities and continuous sacrifice. “The successes you have achieved and are being rewarded for today, should inspire you to even greater feats, in your various spheres of influence.
“I therefore charge you all to continue to be the light for others to follow, whilst also seeing yourselves as lifelong ambassadors of the NYSC.
“In line with our policy of encouraging and rewarding excellence among our youth, I hereby announce the immediate employment into the Federal Civil Service of all the Award winners and beneficiaries of the NYSC Hope Alive Programme.
“In addition, the federal government hereby offers each of you automatic scholarships up to doctorate level in any Nigerian university of your choice,” he said.
In his address, Solomon Dalung, the minister of youth and sports development, Mr. Solomon Dalung said nothing motivated young more than the reward for their contributions no matter how small it was.
For his part, the outgoing director general of NYSC Maj. Gen Suleiman Kazaure said the award aimed at encouraging youths to imbibe patriotic ideals through selfless and dedicated service to fatherland.
Kazaure said the award was a recognition of teamwork, honesty, loyalty, devotion to duty and creativity.
“Though the young men and women being honoured today were the most outstanding in performance, I am proud to report that corps members deployed in 2015, 2016 and 2017 service years generally contributed immensely to the socio-economic development of our dear country.
“Their performances in key sectors such as education, health, agriculture and infrastructure were applauded by all Nigerians.
“In the areas of community development service, successive batches of corps members have been adding value to communities throughout the federation with various projects.
“These include construction and renovation of schools and hospitals as well as provision of potable water,” he said.
The former head of state, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, who created the NYSC in 1973, attended the ceremony.
The President’s NYSC Honours Award was instituted in 1974 to encourage corps members to contribute to the overall national development by embarking on community development projects.
With NAN report
*The vice president, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo with the former head of state, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (R); the director general of NYSC, Maj. Gen. Suleiman Kazaure (2nd R); minister of sports and youth development, Mr. Solomon Dalung (L) and some of the NYSC awardees.
